Leak detector



Oct. 17, 1939. G, AHITQWER 2,176,578

LEAK DETECTOR Filed Feb. 11, 1939 ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 17, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

Myinvention relates to water-closets and to similar liquid-using apparatuses; and particularly to those in which a reservoir for holding water and the bowl form a unit, more or less closely connected. It has for its objectthe detection of leaks from the reservoir through the bowl to the sewer. My invention consists further in providing special means for leak detection that may be inserted in new work or in old work; or which may be incorporated in the bowl.

In a common arrangement of such closets, a reservoir or tank is connected by a down-flow pipe to the bowl. Water is admitted to the tank by a float-controlled cock. It is discharged from tank to bowl through a simple valve-seat ordinarily closed by a hollow and light rubber ball or disk; or by a siphon at .the lower end of which is a valve-rubber. An overflow pipe is arranged to discharge into the down-flow pipe at a point below the said valve. It is a well known fact that water leaks past both types of valve when they are supposed to be closed against the passage of water; and also to leak out by the overflow when the inlet cock leaks, or the ball-float is not properly adjusted. This leakage flows down the down-flow pipe to the bowl; and it there drips down the jet pipe, the discharge end of which opens beneath the surface of the water-seal in the bowl. Consequently, the leakage water which enters the bowl beneath the water level, is not seen, and it is rarely heard. Its existence is sometimes indicated by a soft hissing of makeup water entering the tank through the floatcontrolled cock. 'But this very slight sound cannot be heard in many instances because of other conflicting sounds. As a usual thing, the leak is suggested only by the increased amount of the water bill.

The object of my invention is to make the leaking water visible and audible to anyone within sight and sound of it; and to, provide such means that my invention may be used with new work and with old work. This means consists of a dam of suitable form to raise the point of entry into the jet pipe above the level of the point of entry into the rim channel of the bowl and s0 divert the leakage water to the rim channel or bowl before it can flow into the jet pipe.

It further consists of means to carry the leakage water' to a point above the surface of the water in the bowl,from which it is discharged onto the said surface.

There are in existence many forms of bowls used in these unit water-closets; and for that reason my invention is applied in more than one manner; but essentially it consists of means for diverting leakage water from the jet plpe'to the bowl above the surface of the water-seal; allowing the leakage water to drip or flow onto the surface of the said water-seal. 5

In the drawing:

Figure I shows in vertical section a form 0 closet in which my invention is arranged partly within and partly without the bowl.

Figures II, III, IV and V show in vertical sec-x tion different means for applying my invention to closets.

Figures VI and VII show in plan, respectively, the means shown in FiguresIV and V.

Figures VIII and IX'show in partial vertical section and partial horizontal section a form of bowl in which one formof my invention is incorporated.

Figure X shows in vertical 'section another method of applying my invention.-

In Figure I, 2 is the bowl, which is trapped at l;- the outlet 6, from which, is at such an elevation that the water level is held at the level 8, forming a seal with respect to the soil pipe l0.

i2 is a tank to which water is admitted from the house supply by the usual float-controlled cock. An outlet pipe I6 is closed, in some cases by a siphon, in others by a ball-valve. We will describe operation with a tank fitted with a ballvalve. This ball-valve I8, is seated at 20 on the opening to the pipe I6. This pipe isconnected to the bowl 2 at 22. When the ball-valve I8 is raised from the seat 20, the water flows down pipe I 6 into the rim-channel 24; from which the water enters the bowls 2 through perforations 26. 85 The water also enters jet-pipe 28, and flows down the jet-pipe, entering the bowl at 30; which is below the surface 8 of the water-seal, and opposite to the entrance to the trap 4.

The ball I8 is raised from its seat by anysuit- 40 able means, such as a lever, and a chain or rod 32. When so raised, the water rushes from the tank i2 down the pipe it. The opening to the pipe i6 is closedwhen the ball i 8 settles again upon the valve-seat 20; upon which it will be lightly held by the difference in the pressure on the valve 48 in the tank and the pressure in the pipe it, The operation of the siphon is well known; The water flows from tank l2 by pipe it; enters bowl 2 at 22; and flows from that point 50 partly by way of channel 24 and perforations 26; and partly by jet-pipe 23. The water entering at 26 and 30 raises the head of water in the bowl; and at the same time it flushes down the sides of the bowl. The water entering at 30 scours the bottom of the bowl; and, directed straight at trap 4, it starts the trap working as a siphon to empty the bowl. This siphonic effect is broken as soon as air passes into the trap 4; and the bowl refills from the tank.

The ball-valve l8 in time deteriorates and breaks. Leakage begins through valve seat 20; and water flows, constantly, from tank to bowl;

but in such a small stream that it is neither seen' nor heard. It flows slowly and quietly down pipe l8; into the bowl at 28 and 30; and out through trap 4 to soil pipe I 0. There is a constant and undetected loss of water.

My invention is to cause this leakage water to drop into the water in the bowl above the water level 8 so that it may always be seen or heard. I catch the water leaking down the inside of pipe [6 and cause it to flow into the bowl 2, and to drop into the water from above the water level 8; as at 34 in Figure I.

The catching of the water may be accomplished in several ways. In Figure I I show a swaged bushing 36, which is a neat fit within the pipe Hi. This bushing is shown in large detail'in Figure III. The bushing 36 forms a channel 38 between its upper wall 48 and the wall of pipe l8. To this channel 38 I connect a ductile or flexible pipe 42, which I pass down the pipe I6 and into the bowl 2, terminating it at a point 44 (see Fig. I) above the water level 8. Leakage is caught at 3B;- passes down pipe 42 into the bowl 2 at 24; whence it drops through the perforations 26 into the water in the bowl.

To make a close fit between the bushing 38 and the inside of pipe I6, I sometimes slit the petticoat 44 of the bushing 36, and spring it into place. Or, when accessible, I roll or expand it in place.

In Figure I I have shown one of many forms of bowl. Nearly all designs have the continuous rim-channel 24 with perforations 26. In some forms it is possible to continue the pipe 42 so that it projects visibly over the water. Leakage is then seen dropping from the end of the pipe 42.

In some cases, in connection with old plumbing, it is convenient to enter pipe 42 through the wall of 'pipe l6 into the channel 38; and to lead pipe 42 down outside pipe l6, and to run it between bowl 2 and seat 46; letting it project over the rim of the bowl so that water may drip from it onto the surface 8 of the water seal. See Figure X.

In Figures II, IV and V, I show other forms of dam which I can use in connection with my leak detector. In Figure II, which is suitable for old pipe or for any pipe which may be too rough on the inside to permit of a damof the inside or bushing type, I cut the down-flow water pipe l6; expand the end 50 of the upper part and preferably swage down the end 52 of the lower part; and fit two flanged collars 54, and between them a tubular jacket 56. The joints may be soldered. The channel 38 is formed between the pipe end 52 and the jacket 56. The pipe 42 is shown connected through the pipe end 52 into channel 38.

In Figure IV an inclined cup-washer 60 is set across the pipe l6; and pipe 42 is connected to its lower end, to which the intercepted leakage will fiow. Figure VI shows this dam in plan.

In Figure V a cup-washer 62 is set horizontally, and pipe 42 is connected to the bottom of channel 64 formed by its sides. A plan of this dam is shown in Figure VI'I.

In Figures V111 and IX I show in part vertical section and part plan, respectively, the dam of my leak detector entirely within the bowl; and

in fact cast integrally with the bowl. Around the upper end or opening of jet-pipe 28, I cast a dam 1.0 of sumcient height to prevent leakage from trickling down the pipe 28. The leakage, coming in by way of pipe I 6, flows around'dam 10 into channel 24 and through channel 12, from the end of which it drips into the water in the bowl. The leakage may also find its way into the bowl through the perforations 26. Instead of a cast collar 18, I may in some cases use a metal collar to form the dam l8; and this metal collar may be fitted into the opening into jet-pipe 28.

In those cases where the pipe 42 is used there 7 tinuation of the pipe which connects the bowl,

with the reservoir in which the water is stored, and by-which the water is carried to the flushing rim and to the jet-pipe.

I claim:

1. In a water closet wherein water is discharged through a valve-controlled pipe to a water-sealed bowl; the combination of means set below the valve in the valve controlled pipe to arrest leakage water flowing down the inside wall of the said pipe, and means for carrying the arrested water to the bowl and discharging it upon the surface of the water-seal.

2. In a water closet wherein water is discharged through a valve-controlled pipe to a water-sealed bowl having a jet-pipe discharging under the surface of the water-seal; the combination of means set in the water channel between the valve and the jet-pipe to arrest leakage water fiowing down the valve-controlled pipe; and

a means for conveying the arrested water past the 3. In the water closet wherein water is dis-' charged through a valve-controlled pipe to a water-sealed bowl having a jet-pipe discharging under the surface of the water-seal; the combination of an annular dam set within the water channel between the valve and the jet-pipe to divert leakage water from the jet-pipe; and means for conveying the water diverted at the dam past the jet-pipe and discharging it upon the surface of the water-seal in the bowl.

4. In a water closet wherein water is discharged through a valve-controlled pipe to a water-sealed bowl having a jet-pipe discharging under the surface of the water seal; the combination of a dam set against the inside wall of the valve-controlled pipe to-arrest water leaking past the valve; and tubular means connected with the dam for conveying the arrested water from the dam past the jet pipe and discharging it in the dam adapted to be set within the water pipe connecting the reservoir and the bowl of a water closet to arrest the passage of leakage water down the inside wall of the said pipe, and pipe means opening through the dam and adapted to extend through the water pipe to the water closet for the discharge of the arrested water.

6. In a water closet: a bowl having atrapped water-seal and a jet-pipe discharging under the vpipe to divert a small flow of water from the jetpipe inlet to the surface of the water-seal.

'7. A bowl having a trap for forming a waterseal, an inlet for water, a flushing-rim connected with the inlet, a jet-pipe connected with the inlet and arranged to discharge into the bowl at a level below that .of the surface of the water-seal, and a raised surface about the entrance to the jet-pipe to divert leakage water from the jet-pipe inlet across the flushing-rim to the surface of the waterseal.

8. In a water clmet system, a bowl of the type having a water-seal, means for discharging water into the bowl, a jet-pipe discharging under the surface of the water-seal and having an inlet in communication with said means, and means for preventing a leakage flow of water from entering said inlet and causing it to discharge into the bowl above the water-seal.

GEORGE A. TOWER. 

